Cricket

The Women's T20 Asia Cup 2024 is reaching its climax, with the semi-finals set to take place in Dambulla on Friday. India, the in-form team, will face Bangladesh, while hosts Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan.India vs BangladeshIndia, the tournament favorites, have won 10 of their 14 T20Is this year. They will rely on their spin-bowling allrounder Deepti Sharma, who has taken eight wickets in three matches. Bangladesh, on the other hand, have struggled with their batting but have found some form in the Asia Cup. Opener Murshida Khatun will be crucial for their chances.Sri Lanka vs PakistanSri Lanka, the hosts, have won 12 of their 15 T20Is this year. They have a strong all-round team and will be confident of winning their maiden Asia Cup title. Pakistan, on the other hand, have struggled for consistency in 2024. However, they will take confidence from their recent 10-wicket victory against UAE. Opener Gull Feroza has been in good form and will be a key player for them.Key Players* India: Deepti Sharma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues* Bangladesh: Murshida Khatun, Nigar Sultana, Jahanara Alam* Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne, Inoka Ranaweera* Pakistan: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Nida DarWhere to WatchIn India and Sri Lanka, the Women's Asia Cup 2024 will be telecast on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app and website in India.

Hosts Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have secured their spots in the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament after dominant victories over Thailand and Malaysia, respectively.In the first match of the day, Bangladesh showcased their batting prowess with opener Murshida Khatun leading the charge with a blistering 80 off 59 deliveries. Skipper Nigar Sultana also contributed a valuable 62 off 37 balls, helping Bangladesh post a formidable total of 191 for 2.Malaysia's chase faltered as they were restricted to a mere 77 for 8 in 20 overs, handing Bangladesh a convincing victory.In the second match, Sri Lanka proved equally dominant, dismissing Thailand for a paltry 93 for 7. Wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai top-scored for Thailand with a 47 off 53 balls.Sri Lanka's chase was a breeze, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu (49 not out) and Vishmi Gunaratne (39) guiding their team to a comfortable 10-wicket victory.In the semifinals, defending champions India will face Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan on Friday.

Bangladesh, seeking to advance to the semi-finals of the Asia Cup 2024, elected to bat first after winning the toss against Malaysia. The decision came after Bangladesh's opening game loss to Sri Lanka and subsequent seven-wicket victory over Thailand.Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana expressed her team's desire to establish a strong total on the board, given the favorable batting conditions. The team made one change, bringing in experienced all-rounder Jahanara Alam in place of Marufa Akter.Malaysia, despite losing both their previous matches, still harbored hopes of reaching the semi-finals. However, they were forced to chase after Bangladesh's decision to bat. Malaysia made two changes to their lineup, introducing Nur Aishah and Irdina Beh Nabil while omitting Dhanusri Muhunan and Amalin Sorfina.For Malaysia to qualify for the semi-finals, they must defeat Bangladesh by a significant margin and rely on Sri Lanka to do the same against Thailand.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh showcased their dominance in the Women's Asia Cup T20 tournament on Monday, securing emphatic victories over Malaysia and Thailand respectively.Sri Lanka, the host nation, unleashed a batting masterclass against Malaysia. Chamari Athapaththu led the charge with an extraordinary 119 not out off 69 deliveries, peppered with 14 boundaries and seven towering sixes. Her innings propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable total of 184 for 4. Harshitha Madavi and Anushka Sanjeewani provided valuable support with contributions of 26 and 31 runs.Malaysia's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Sri Lanka's bowling attack. Shashini Gimhani, Kawya Kavindi, and Kavisha Dilhari combined to dismantle the Malaysian innings, claiming three, two, and two wickets respectively. Malaysia was bundled out for a mere 40 runs in just 19.5 overs, with only Elsa Hunter reaching double figures.In the second match of the day, Bangladesh outplayed Thailand by seven wickets. Thailand's batting struggled to gain momentum, managing only 96 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Nattaya Boochatham's 40 off 41 balls was the lone bright spot for Thailand.Bangladesh's bowlers were in top form, with Rabeya Khan leading the charge with four wickets for 14 runs. Sabikun Nahar and Ritu Moni chipped in with two wickets each.Chasing a modest target of 97, Bangladesh cruised to victory in 17.3 overs. Murshida Khatun anchored the innings with a patient 50 off 55 balls. Dilara Akter and Ishma Tanjim provided support with contributions of 17 and 16 runs respectively.With these victories, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have emerged as the frontrunners in Group B, each with four points. They are well-positioned to secure semifinal berths as the tournament progresses.

Bangladesh, the only team besides India to have won the Women's Asia Cup, kicked off their campaign against hosts Sri Lanka in Dambulla. Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana opted to bat first after winning the toss, citing favorable batting conditions."The ball is coming on to the bat nicely, and we want to put a score on the board," Sultana said. "We make this tournament equally important as the T20 World Cup."Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, while not disappointed with the decision to bowl first, acknowledged the good batting surface. "We don't want to take too much pressure, one match at a time," she said.The Dambulla pitch has been conducive to batting in the previous three matches played on it. However, the long square boundaries emphasize the importance of quick running between the wickets.Bangladesh, coming off a 0-5 sweep against India at home, will be eager to break their winless streak in T20Is in 2024. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has enjoyed a successful year in the format, winning nine of their 12 matches, including a 2-1 series victory over South Africa.Sri Lanka's batting lineup has become more balanced, with Vishmi Gunaratne and Kavisha Dilhari emerging as reliable contributors alongside Athapaththu.

Pakistan's cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season is set to be their busiest in over two decades, with seven Test matches scheduled to be played on home soil. The PCB has announced the dates and schedule for the entire home season, which also includes hosting the Champions Trophy.The home season will begin with the arrival of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August, followed by a three-Test series against England in October. After a limited-overs tour of Australia and Zimbabwe, Pakistan will host South Africa for a T20I series and two Tests in December.The home Tests against West Indies will start nine days later, with the matches to be played in Karachi and Multan. All seven home Tests will be part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan are currently ranked fifth.After the West Indies Tests, Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series, which will have South Africa and New Zealand as the visiting teams. The Champions Trophy, the first ICC event Pakistan will host in 29 years, is scheduled to be held from February 19 to March 9.However, it remains to be seen if India, the only team in the Champions Trophy to not have travelled to Pakistan since international cricket resumed in the country in 2015, agree to make the trip.

Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib's Dramatic Fall Raises Questions of SportsmanshipIn a controversial incident during the T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Gulbadin Naib's sudden collapse on the field sparked both amusement and outrage. The incident occurred in the 12th over, with Bangladesh trailing on the Duckworth-Lewis par score.As Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott signaled to his players to slow down the game, Naib, fielding in the slip cordon, complained of cramps. However, commentators and former players questioned the genuineness of his discomfort, as it coincided with Trott's request to slow down the pace."The coach sends a message out to say slow it down, slow it down and the first slip just dives on the ground needlessly. That is unacceptable," said commentator Simon Doull.Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped, "Oscar, Emmy?"Social media erupted with reactions, with many accusing Naib of feigning injury to avoid Bangladesh's victory on the DLS method. "This is cheating from Afghanistan," tweeted Imran Siddique.Naib was treated and taken off the field, but returned after a rain delay. He even dismissed Tanzim Hasan in the 15th over, reducing Bangladesh to 92 for 8.The incident drew criticism from former players. India's Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted, "Red card for Gulbadin Naib." Michael Vaughan wrote, "Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot..."Ian Smith added, "I've a dodgy knee for the last 6 months, I am gonna see Gulbadin Naib's doctor straight after the game. He's the 8th wonder of the world right now."Despite the controversy, Afghanistan eventually prevailed by eight runs to enter their maiden World Cup semifinal. However, the incident has raised questions about the spirit of the game and the ethics of using tactics to manipulate the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Afghanistan's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Led by the enigmatic Rashid Khan, the Afghan team has defied all odds to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever.Their thrilling victory over Bangladesh in the final Super 8s match was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite the rain-affected second innings, Afghanistan's bowlers, spearheaded by Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq, defended the modest target of 115 with aplomb.Khan's role in Afghanistan's success cannot be overstated. Not only did he bamboozle Australian batters with his deceptive deliveries, but he also engaged in some light-hearted banter with Indian captain Rohit Sharma. After both teams advanced to the semi-finals, Khan took to social media to share a photo with Sharma, playfully referring to him as "My friend from Mumbai."Afghanistan's journey to the semi-finals has been nothing short of remarkable. They stunned T20I giants New Zealand and Australia in the group stage, showcasing their ability to compete with the best in the world.Their victory over Bangladesh not only secured their place in the last four but also eliminated Australia from the tournament. The Aussies, who were considered one of the favorites, were left to rue their missed opportunities.Afghanistan's success is a testament to the growing strength of cricket in non-traditional nations. Their performance has inspired countless young players around the world and has proven that anything is possible with hard work and determination.As they prepare for the semi-finals, Afghanistan will be buoyed by the support of their passionate fans. They will face a formidable opponent in either India or England, but they have shown that they are capable of overcoming any challenge.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup semi-final hopes were dashed after a disappointing chase against Afghanistan in Kingstown. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto revealed that the team initially aimed to win within 12.1 overs to qualify for the semi-finals but abandoned the plan after losing three early wickets.Despite restricting Afghanistan to 115 for 5, Bangladesh's chase faltered with a slow start, losing three wickets in the first three overs. Shanto admitted that the middle-order failed to make sound decisions, leading to their eventual defeat.Former captain Mashrafe Mortaza criticized Bangladesh's lack of clarity and urgency, stating that the team should have focused solely on winning within 12.1 overs. He emphasized that the opportunity to make history was missed due to poor decision-making.Bangladesh's tactical blunder of holding back Towhid Hridoy, their most consistent batter, to No. 6 also proved costly. Shanto explained that the team aimed for a left-right combination, but the move backfired.Shanto acknowledged that Bangladesh's net run rate situation could have been better if they had shown more urgency in their previous match against India. He expressed regret for the team's performance and apologized to the fans for letting them down.